A PIONEERING project is set to unveil the unique heritage of Hengistbury Head by unravelling the mysteries of its collections. 

Hengistbury Head has worked with Bournemouth University using state-of-the-art conservation and digitisation techniques to shed new light on over 12,500 years of human history. 

Archaeologists at Bournemouth University, BCP Council’s Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and the Russell Coates Art Gallery & Museum showcases the internationally significant heritage of Hengistbury Head to over 1.2 million annual visitors. 

The project has delved into the curated collections held at the the visitor centre and archives at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to uncover new stories about the past.  

Digital X-Ray analysis at Bournemouth University labs has been used to identify Iron Age objects used by people over 2,000 years ago on the headland.  

New finds include a preserved Iron Age saw encased in corrosion, which gives us insight into the tools available to people on Hengistbury Head during the Iron Age. 

Staff and volunteers have also been working with digital heritage specialists from the university to learn how to create 3D digital models of the objects housed in the visitor centre. 

The success of this project will allow BCP to unlock new access to the collections helping the public learn about over 12,500 years of human occupation on the headland. 

Mark Holloway, BCP’s project lead, said: “This is such a good example of two organisations working together for the benefit of the community - with improved access to the heritage and archaeology collections at Hengistbury Head.” 

Hayden Scott-Pratt, curator of the visitor centre and Hengistbury Head archaeological collections, added: “This project will have a lasting impact on how people engage and interact with the incredible heritage on our site and has pushed our understanding of our collections by leaps and bounds.” 

Kate Welham, professor of archaeological sciences, said, “This project is a brilliant example of how state-of-the-art technology can unlock new insight about our past and create new ways for the public to access these internationally significant collections.”